Vanheteren,  William 

William  Vanheteren, 91 , died  May 4, 2011 in  his residence in Hackettstown, NJ.  William lived in  Hackettstown, NJ for most of his adult life and was born in Holland on December 29, 1919.

Husband/Wife of: beloved wife of 65 years, Grace (Delger) Vanheteren

Son/Daughter of: late Willem Arie and Siestke Johanna (vanEijk) vanHeteren

Survived By: Beloved Wife-Grace at home
3 Sons-Jerry, Mifflin, PA; Henry, Hackettstown, NJ; William, Frelinghuysen, NJ
1 Daughter-Trix, Mansfield Township, NJ
7 Grand Children
10 Great Grandchildren
Predeceased by 8 Brothers and Sisters

Occupation: William was employed by Elastimold, Hackettstown, NJ until his retirement

Veteran Info: William was a WW II Veteran. He was enlisted in the Dutch Army and was on active duty during the time that the Netherlands was occupied by the German forces. He was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany, and after a few months he and several others were able to escape. He returned to Holland and joined the underground forces as a resistance fighter. During this time he met his future bride, as she too was active in the resistance. Following the liberation of Holland, he and Grace were married and a day later he was shipped off once again, in uniform, to serve in the Dutch Territories in the Far East. At the end of the war he returned to the Netherlands where he found work as a coal miner.

Additional Information:  William received numerous awards for his service to both the Netherlands and the United States. Among these are two War Commemorative Crosses for Military Service from the Netherlands, one with a Special Action Bar, May 1940. He also received the Badge of Order and Peace at the Dutch Consulate in New York City. His most recent award was given to him on April 25, 2011 from the Ministry of Defense in recognition and gratitude for his service to the Netherlands, presented by Colonel Rob Sondag, Military Advisor for the Netherlands to the United Nations. He was a member of the American Legion Post 164 as well as a member of AMVETS. He served as a volunteer chaplain for the National Guard and for Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, with 55,460 hours of service. He had been a volunteer with the Hackettstown First Aid and Rescue Squad and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hackettstown, NJ. William immigrated to the United States in 1956 with his wife and children.

Visitation: None scheduled

Services: Memorial Service will be on Saturday, May 28, 2011, 11:00 AM- at Trinity United Methodist Church, 213 Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

In Lieu of Flowers: Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

Interment: Private